France's annual agricultural show gets underway in Paris • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD): A contagious viral disease affecting cattle, causing significant economic losses.
• Agricultural Show (Paris): A major annual event showcasing French agriculture, traditionally featuring livestock and produce.
• Farmer Protests: Widespread discontent among French farmers due to economic hardship, climate change, and perceived government inaction.
• Trade Unions (Confederac & Rel): Representing farmers' interests and engaging in negotiations with the government.
• Agricultural Crisis: A multifaceted challenge facing the French agricultural sector, encompassing income instability, declining production, and climate impacts.

Empty Cattle Pens & The 2025 Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreak

The 2024 Paris Agricultural Show marks a significant departure from tradition: the cattle pens are empty, replaced by holograms and resin statues. This unprecedented situation stems from the 2025 outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle. Despite government pressure, breeders have collectively refused to exhibit their livestock, prioritizing the health and biosecurity of their herds. The usual presence of 600 cows is absent due to this risk of contamination. Organizers express hope that visitor turnout will still facilitate “an opportunity to exchange ideas” and showcase regional products like cheese, despite a noticeable reduction in farmer participation.

Farmer Discontent & Failed Dialogue with Macron

This year’s show is heavily overshadowed by a broader crisis within the French agricultural sector. Key issues include unstable incomes, collapsing production levels, and the escalating challenges posed by climate change. These factors have fueled significant tensions between farmers and President Macron. Initially, two major trade unions – the Confederac and Rel – boycotted the traditional interunion meeting with the President as a direct protest against the hardships facing the industry.

While the unions eventually agreed to a one-on-one meeting with Macron, it was deemed a “total communication failure.” A representative from the unions stated, “It’s extremely irritating not to be taken into consideration. We didn't stay with him for very long. It's a bit like talking to a brick wall.” They emphasized that the same concerns have been repeatedly raised for the past two years without concrete implementation of solutions. Macron is planning another meeting at the Uliz with various agricultural sectors, but the unions express frustration at the lack of progress.

Historical Significance & Current Perception of the Show

For over 60 years, the Paris Agricultural Show has been a celebration of the diversity of France’s agricultural sectors. It typically attracts approximately 600,000 visitors annually and features thousands of animals and products representing all 18 regions of France. However, the current crisis has led some farmers to label the event the “fair of agricultural suffering,” reflecting the deep-seated problems plaguing the industry. The absence of live animals serves as a stark visual representation of these challenges.

Synthesis

The 2024 Paris Agricultural Show is a symbolic representation of the deep crisis facing French agriculture. The empty cattle pens, a direct consequence of the 2025 Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak, highlight the immediate biosecurity concerns. However, this is compounded by long-standing issues of economic instability, declining production, and climate change, leading to a breakdown in dialogue between farmers and the government. The show, traditionally a celebration of agricultural diversity, has become a platform for expressing widespread discontent and a perceived lack of effective government response.